In brief
A federal lawsuit and a shareholder proposal have emerged, challenging Disney's recent revisions to its Disability Access Service (DAS) program, which allows disabled visitors to skip long lines at its theme parks. Advocates argue the new restrictions overly narrow eligibility, with parents of disabled children stating that Disney's determination of who qualifies for the program is flawed. Despite the company's emphasis on improving visitor experiences, many feel the new policies do not adequately accommodate the diverse needs of disabled guests.
Changes that Disney made to a popular program that allows disabled individuals to bypass long lines at its California and Florida theme parks have led to a federal lawsuit and a shareholder proposal. Advocates argue that the new rules are too restrictive and deny access to deserving guests. Shannon Bonadurer, a professional travel adviser and mother of a disabled child, expressed her frustration: This isn’t right. This isn’t what Walt and Roy would have wanted.Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS) was designed to ensure equitable access for individuals with disabilities. However, the recent changes aim to combat past abuses within the program that allowed individuals to exploit the system. Disney reported that the proportion of guests utilizing DAS passes surged, prompting a reevaluation of the eligibility criteria.The changes mean that previously accepted disabilities, including conditions affecting line-waiting, are now more narrowly defined, primarily focusing on developmental disabilities such as autism. Those seeking access must now undergo a video interview with a Disney staff member and a contracted doctor.Critics argue that these restrictions fail to capture the spectrum of disabilities that necessitate such accommodations. Bonadurer's son, who is blind and has multiple disabilities, was also denied the pass. Disney maintains its policies defer to the Americans with Disabilities Act while supporting individuals who don't meet the new criteria with alternative accommodations.Amid this controversy, a recent shareholder proposal has called for an independent investigation into Disney's disability practices, claiming attendance at the parks has suffered due to the changes in DAS. In defense, Disney's attorneys challenged this assertion, attributing attendance decline to other factors such as recent hurricanes. The company plans to block the proposal ahead of the 2026 shareholder meeting.
